New scholarships give $126,000 boost to Warrnambool students

A new scholarship program will be introduced at Deakin University’s Warrnambool Campus, providing a $126,000 incentive to attract more students to the region.

The 18 new scholarships are being supported by philanthropic foundations and Warrnambool City Council with additional backing from Deakin University.

Five regional philanthropic foundations will each allocate $15,000, and Warrnambool City Council will contribute $30,000 over three years to establish the Deakin South West Scholarship Fund. Deakin University is committing a 20 per cent matching contribution.

The fund will provide $7000 scholarships to 18 students, plus an option for additional funding to support accommodation costs at student residences for successful applicants from outside the region.

The philanthropic foundations are supporting the scholarship fund because they understand the significant social and economic benefits the Warrnambool Campus brings to the region. The foundations have asked to remain anonymous.

The fund aims to support as many students as possible to study in Warrnambool from 2017 to improve the vibrancy of the campus and ensure it continues to deliver a range of higher education degrees.

Deakin University South West Victoria CEO, Grant Sutherland, said the philanthropic foundations and Warrnambool City Council were committed to supporting Deakin in its goal to ensure the Warrnambool Campus remains sustainable.

Mr Sutherland said the scholarships would assist in recruiting students from south-west Victoria and from outside the region.

“Deakin is very appreciative of this support from the philanthropic trusts and Warrnambool City Council,” Mr Sutherland said. “With some funding from Deakin as well, we are in a position to immediately offer an additional 18 scholarships for the Warrnambool Campus.”

Mr Sutherland said the scholarships were just one of a number of strategies being implemented to grow student numbers on campus.

“These scholarships may provide an opportunity for students who were not in a position to follow their dream of university education and will add to the vibrancy on campus,” he said.

“Deakin will continue to work with the community and together we can achieve the success we all want for the Warrnambool Campus.”

The 18 new scholarships will be made available from term one 2017.

Warrnambool City Council CEO, Bruce Anson, praised the philanthropic trusts for their commitment to the fund and supporting the future of the Warrnambool Campus.

“We’re very fortunate to have local trusts so committed to the Warrnambool community,” Mr Anson said. “Their response has been fabulous and reflects the importance our community places on the campus.”

Mr Anson said having a vibrant university campus attracted people to Warrnambool.

“This is an exciting and positive initiative that will strengthen the campus as it rebuilds and it will be a great incentive for young people in the region,” he said.